Urban Office "Lunch Refugee" Problem Worsens. What is the New Option for Employee Cafeterias Revealed by an Industry-Specific Office Lunch Survey? ~Insights from Data from 35 Companies Introducing Shashoku DELI~
The "lunch refugee" problem is worsening in urban offices. WaO Corporation has released a report on office lunch realities, proposing their bento service "Shashoku DELI" as a solution that contributes to improved corporate and employee satisfaction.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 23:03
- 🔍 Collected: April 3, 2026 at 18:04
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 17, 2026 at 12:06 (330h 1m after Collected)
WaO Corporation, which operates the corporate bento delivery service "Shashoku DELI," has released a survey report on "Industry-Specific Office Lunch Realities and Challenges" based on case data from 35 companies that have introduced its service. Against the backdrop of office relocations to urban centers and soaring prices, the reality that many companies are facing the "lunch refugee" problem has become clear.
■ Background of the Survey
In recent years, the nature of offices has significantly changed due to office relocations associated with urban redevelopment and the establishment of hybrid work combining remote and in-office arrangements. With these changes, new challenges have arisen in employees' "lunch environments." This survey analyzed the challenges faced by 35 companies that received interviews among those that introduced Shashoku DELI, shedding light on the reality of modern office lunches.
■ Survey Result Highlights
1. Reason for Introduction:
Ranked first was "Abolition/Closure of Employee Cafeterias," followed by "Office Relocation." Approximately 60% of introducing companies (22 companies) abolished their existing employee cafeterias due to kitchen equipment maintenance costs and space issues, and introduced bento sales as an alternative. Additionally, about 30% (11 companies) introduced the service upon "office relocation," with challenges such as "elevator congestion" and "lack of nearby restaurants/high prices" becoming particularly serious issues for relocations to high-rise offices.
2. Characteristics of Lunch Challenges by Industry:
IT & Information Communications Industry (6 companies adopted):
Often located in urban centers (Marunouchi, Toranomon, etc.), the main challenges are "rising prices of nearby lunches" and "lack of communication during work hours." Many expressed expectations for activated internal exchanges using bentos as a hook.
Real Estate & Construction Industry (6 companies adopted):
Due to dispersed operations across multiple locations and work styles involving frequent travel between sites and offices, there is a demand for "convenience" and "time-saving ease of eating."
Manufacturing & Chemical Industry (6 companies adopted):
There is a high need for "replacing aging cafeterias" in factories and large business sites, and "menu variety" that can cater to diverse ages and genders is prioritized.
■ "Shashoku DELI" as a Solution
In response to these challenges, "Shashoku DELI," which can be introduced without initial costs or construction and offers dozens of bento options daily, is being chosen. Introducing companies have reported voices such as "Lunchtime has become an opportunity for communication among employees" (17 companies) and "Employee satisfaction has dramatically improved" (23 companies), indicating that it functions as an "organizational revitalization tool" beyond mere meal provision.
■ Comments from Staff
"Due to soaring prices and the trend towards high-rise offices, environments where employees can enjoy lunch at their leisure are becoming scarce. Through 'Shashoku DELI,' we aim to provide a wide range of choices at affordable prices, supporting corporate health management and the revitalization of internal communication."
About "Shashoku DELI"
"Shashoku DELI" is a welfare service that utilizes vacant office space and offers daily bento boxes through face-to-face sales by staff. It contributes to creating a more comfortable workplace by arranging employees' lunch environments while minimizing the burden of equipment investment and inventory management.
Features:
* A wide variety of menus including Japanese, Western, Chinese, and limited-time options, with over 30 types daily.
* Streamlined operations with on-site sales staff (comprehensive support from ordering to sales and cleanup).
* Smooth introduction with no initial equipment investment required.
* From ¥350 per meal (satisfaction can be expected to increase through corporate subsidies).
"Shashoku DELI" Service Site: https://www.shashokudeli.com/
About WaO Corporation
WaO Corporation is a company that plans and operates services aimed at improving employee well-being and enhancing corporate value, primarily focusing on office meal support.
Through face-to-face bento sales and installed systems, its strengths lie in ease of introduction, reduced operational burden, and an experience design that leads to continued use.
Main Businesses:
* Bento-exclusive employee cafeteria service "Shashoku DELI"
* Corporate and group delivery bento site "Obento Deli"
* Take-out specialty food court "Yatai DELI"
* Assortment/catering comprehensive site "Hakobu Catering"
Company Profile
Company Name: WaO Corporation
Representative: Akira Uratani, President and CEO
Location: 11F, Shibuya 363 Shimizu Bldg., 3-6-3 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0002, Japan
Established: September 2003
Business Description: Planning, operation, and sales of "Shashoku DELI," "Obento Deli," "Yatai DELI," and "Hakobu Catering."
Capital: 100 million yen
Homepage: https://www.wao-cart.com/
■ Background of the Survey
In recent years, the nature of offices has significantly changed due to office relocations associated with urban redevelopment and the establishment of hybrid work combining remote and in-office arrangements. With these changes, new challenges have arisen in employees' "lunch environments." This survey analyzed the challenges faced by 35 companies that received interviews among those that introduced Shashoku DELI, shedding light on the reality of modern office lunches.
■ Survey Result Highlights
1. Reason for Introduction:
Ranked first was "Abolition/Closure of Employee Cafeterias," followed by "Office Relocation." Approximately 60% of introducing companies (22 companies) abolished their existing employee cafeterias due to kitchen equipment maintenance costs and space issues, and introduced bento sales as an alternative. Additionally, about 30% (11 companies) introduced the service upon "office relocation," with challenges such as "elevator congestion" and "lack of nearby restaurants/high prices" becoming particularly serious issues for relocations to high-rise offices.
2. Characteristics of Lunch Challenges by Industry:
IT & Information Communications Industry (6 companies adopted):
Often located in urban centers (Marunouchi, Toranomon, etc.), the main challenges are "rising prices of nearby lunches" and "lack of communication during work hours." Many expressed expectations for activated internal exchanges using bentos as a hook.
Real Estate & Construction Industry (6 companies adopted):
Due to dispersed operations across multiple locations and work styles involving frequent travel between sites and offices, there is a demand for "convenience" and "time-saving ease of eating."
Manufacturing & Chemical Industry (6 companies adopted):
There is a high need for "replacing aging cafeterias" in factories and large business sites, and "menu variety" that can cater to diverse ages and genders is prioritized.
■ "Shashoku DELI" as a Solution
In response to these challenges, "Shashoku DELI," which can be introduced without initial costs or construction and offers dozens of bento options daily, is being chosen. Introducing companies have reported voices such as "Lunchtime has become an opportunity for communication among employees" (17 companies) and "Employee satisfaction has dramatically improved" (23 companies), indicating that it functions as an "organizational revitalization tool" beyond mere meal provision.
■ Comments from Staff
"Due to soaring prices and the trend towards high-rise offices, environments where employees can enjoy lunch at their leisure are becoming scarce. Through 'Shashoku DELI,' we aim to provide a wide range of choices at affordable prices, supporting corporate health management and the revitalization of internal communication."
About "Shashoku DELI"
"Shashoku DELI" is a welfare service that utilizes vacant office space and offers daily bento boxes through face-to-face sales by staff. It contributes to creating a more comfortable workplace by arranging employees' lunch environments while minimizing the burden of equipment investment and inventory management.
Features:
* A wide variety of menus including Japanese, Western, Chinese, and limited-time options, with over 30 types daily.
* Streamlined operations with on-site sales staff (comprehensive support from ordering to sales and cleanup).
* Smooth introduction with no initial equipment investment required.
* From ¥350 per meal (satisfaction can be expected to increase through corporate subsidies).
"Shashoku DELI" Service Site: https://www.shashokudeli.com/
About WaO Corporation
WaO Corporation is a company that plans and operates services aimed at improving employee well-being and enhancing corporate value, primarily focusing on office meal support.
Through face-to-face bento sales and installed systems, its strengths lie in ease of introduction, reduced operational burden, and an experience design that leads to continued use.
Main Businesses:
* Bento-exclusive employee cafeteria service "Shashoku DELI"
* Corporate and group delivery bento site "Obento Deli"
* Take-out specialty food court "Yatai DELI"
* Assortment/catering comprehensive site "Hakobu Catering"
Company Profile
Company Name: WaO Corporation
Representative: Akira Uratani, President and CEO
Location: 11F, Shibuya 363 Shimizu Bldg., 3-6-3 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0002, Japan
Established: September 2003
Business Description: Planning, operation, and sales of "Shashoku DELI," "Obento Deli," "Yatai DELI," and "Hakobu Catering."
Capital: 100 million yen
Homepage: https://www.wao-cart.com/
FAQ
What is the "lunch refugee" problem?
Refers to the difficulty of securing office lunches in urban areas due to a lack of options and high prices.
What are the main benefits of Shashoku DELI?
It can be introduced with no initial cost, offers diverse menus at affordable prices, and promotes employee satisfaction and internal interaction.
What kind of companies were targeted in this survey?
It targets 35 companies that have introduced WaO Corporation's bento service, "Shashoku DELI".